Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre to Celebrate 80th Anniversary with Nov. 9 Gala

THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE SCHOOL OF THE THEATRE will celebrate its 80th Anniversary with a gala and reunion for alumni, patrons, faculty and students of the renowned school which is one of the oldest theatre institutions in New York City. The celebration will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 6 PM at Tavern on the Green.

As part of the anniversary celebration THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE SCHOOL OF THE THEATRE will honor the lifetime achievements of three of its graduates: Leslie Moonves, Class of 1973, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corporation, along with Eli Wallach, Class of 1940, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor and member of the Neighborhood Playhouse Board of Directors, and RICHARD PINTER, Class of 1967, Head of the Neighborhood Playhouse Acting Department and revered by students from the 1970's to the present day.

Many of THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE's distinguished alumni and friends are expected to attend the anniversary celebration including Chris Meloni, who will serve as the evening's Master of Ceremony, David Blaine, Zoe Caldwell, Ted Danson, Anne Jackson, Diane Keaton, Christopher Noth, Marian Seldes and Mary Steenburgen.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE is the home of the "Meisner Technique," an approach to acting developed and taught at the Playhouse by Master Teacher Sanford Meisner from 1935 through the 1980's, and taught at the school today.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE is proud to list as alumni some of the most famous names in theatre, film and television, including Elizabeth Ashley, David Blaine, James Caan, Dabney Coleman, Illeana Douglas, Robert Duvall, Brian Geraghty, Jeff Goldblum, Lee Grant, Jennifer Grey, Tammy Grimes, Martin Henderson, Anne Jackson, Allison Janney, Diane Keaton, Christopher Lloyd, Dylan McDermott, Steve McQueen, David Mamet, Chris Meloni, Leslie Nielsen, Christopher Noth, Gregory Peck, Suzanne Pleshette, Sydney Pollack, Tony Randall, Wayne Rogers, Sheri René Scott, Marian Seldes, Mary Steenburgen, Tom Stewart, Brenda Vaccaro, Jessica Walter and Joanne Woodward.
EVENT DETAILS:

Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008 - 6 PM at Tavern on the Green
Cocktails and Buffet - Cocktail Attire

For tickets, tables and ad placement please call 212-688-3770 or e-mail: Gala@neighborhoodplayhouse.org

THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE is one of the oldest theatre institutions in New York City, originating on Grand Street in 1915 and producing plays until 1927, including landmark productions of The Dybbuk and The Little Clay Cart. It was one of the first "off-Broadway" producing theatres and a vital arm of the famous Grand Street Settlement House founded by Lillian Wald. The theatre still exists today as part of the Abrons Arts Center at 466 Grand Street. In 1928, THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE SCHOOL OF THE THEATRE was born, a result of the children's training program associated with the theatre productions, including classes taught by Martha Graham and Louis Horst.

Photo Eli Wallach by Walter McBride